No-Confidence Motion

Definition

A motion moved in the Lok Sabha to express that the House no longer has confidence in the Council of Ministers, which must resign if it is passed.

Key points

• Moved under Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha rules; it can be moved only in the Lok Sabha, the House to which the government is responsible (Article 75).
• It needs the support of at least 50 members to be admitted.
• No reasons need to be stated, and it can be moved against the entire Council of Ministers, not a single minister.
• If passed, the entire Council of Ministers must resign.
• It flows from the principle of collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha.

Why it matters for CAPF

The 50-member threshold, the link to collective responsibility under Article 75, and the Lok-Sabha-only feature are standard exam facts.

Common confusion

A no-confidence motion (against the whole Council, no reasons needed) differs from a censure motion (can target a single minister, must state reasons) and from a concept confidence motion which the government itself moves to prove its majority.

Parent note

parliament